SPEYERER

Jay William

Jay Speyerer, "The Mark Twain of Pittsburgh", and son of William and Lora "Teddy" Speyerer, passed away in his home on Monday August 14, 2017 at the age of 68.

Jay grew up in New Brighton Pennsylvania, and attended New Brighton Area High School before serving in the Navy.
Jay went on to study photography at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, then taught the subject there for 25 years.
Jay also owned Legacy Road Communications, where driven by his belief that we are all defined by our stories, he assisted others in putting pen to paper, and creating the gift of a legacy to leave behind for their family and loved ones.

With his unmatched humor and wit, (and fluency in the French and German languages) Jay entertained and educated through his speaking engagements and published works. He is the past President of the National Speakers Association/Pittsburgh chapter, and author of, The Stories of Our Days, Cat Got Your Thumb?, Cat Got Your Treadmill?, Home Cats: A camera phone documentary, and Home Cats 2: Diary of A Mad Catter.
The stars of his final works, Home Cats: A Camera Phone Documentary and Home Cats 2: Diary of a Mad Catter were Jay's cats, Boo, Scout, and Jem. And while Jay was of course "The Mark Twain of Pittsburgh." At home, he was Atticus.

Jay was above all an animal lover, and his feelings regarding these furry individuals are best expressed in his own words: 
" They're the housemates we feed and water and walk and play with and take to the vet and clean up after, grudgingly yet willingly. Our dependents with paws and fur. 
Someone always asks if they can feel love. The answer is it doesn’t matter. As long as we can."

Jay's memory and unconditional love of "dependents with paws" are survived by his daughter, Emma Piazza, of Lakewood, NY. 
 

In lieu of funeral services, the family will be hosting a get together to celebrate all that was Jay in his home at 302 Sprucewood St. Pittsburgh, PA on Saturday, August 26, 2017, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Jay's works will be available for purchase during the celebration, and his vast, vast, vast, vast, vast collection of books (all supplied by his love of (addiction to) Borders Books and Barnes and Noble) will be available with offered donation.

Please be advised, the home is not handicap accessible, and there are stairs to navigate. 
The family also strongly suggests meeting with friends and car-pooling to the home, as parking is very limited. 
The family hopes that many will be able to come, laugh, and share stories about this funny, witty, kind hearted, collector of knowledge.

Arrangements by TIMOTHY K. SLATER Funeral Services, Inc. (412-381-3337) 425 Brownsville Road, Mt. Oliver, 15210.

Condolences at www.timothykslater.com

 Service Information